Minor in Leadership

The Leadership Minor (LEAD Minor) at Western Carolina University is an interdisciplinary
minor focused on providing in-depth instruction and participatory learning opportunities
for students who wish to further develop their leadership potential and skills. Designed
to be complementary to students' intended majors, the minor provides developmental
opportunities aimed at enhancing leadership potential in collegiate, local, regional,
national, and international settings.The LEAD Minor is rooted in the tenets of the
Social Change Model of Leadership. Under the framework of the Social Change Model
(SCM) for Leadership Development, students enrolled in the in the leadership minor
will learn that leadership is more than a positional point of view. It is the art
of self-discovery and the role that one plays in a group to make an impact on the
greater community.

The LEAD Minor consists of 18 credit hours of coursework.Of those credit hours, nine
are required courses and nine may come from approved electives. Within the elective
options there are three types of courses: LEAD Core Electives, LEAD Track Electives,
Partner-Program Electives.Students from any major may elect to complete the LEAD Minor.
LEAD Core Electives are leadership courses taught through the LEAD Minor and highlight
leadership in specific contexts. LEAD Track Electives are, generally, living learning
community classes for freshmen, as well as freshman leadership programming courses
and job training classes specific to on-campus employment. Partner-Program Electives
are non-LEAD courses that compliment the mission and goals of the LEAD Minor. These
classes count for the minor and are taught by other majors

The LEAD Minor is a part of the Department of Human Services in the College of Education
and Allied Professions. Specifically, it is housed in the Higher Education Student
Affairs Program.